The top reported proficiency rate is 93% in Math. The lowest is 89% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Independence Elementary School
Independence Elementary School serves grades three through six in Liberty Township, a fast-growing suburban area in Butler County between Cincinnati and Dayton. The school is part of Lakota Local, a public district now navigating significant internal pressures that will affect families with children here.
Academically, Independence performs at a high level. On Ohio's State Tests, the school's proficiency rate in math stands well above the state baseline, with most third through sixth graders meeting or exceeding state standards. Reading proficiency is also solid, and science proficiency is similarly strong. Across tested subjects, the school ranks in the top quartile among Butler County districts. The school operates with near-universal test participation, suggesting strong engagement with state assessment.
The student body reflects Liberty Township's demographic character: the majority of students are white, with smaller shares of Black, Asian, and Hispanic students, plus students identifying as two or more races. About one in six students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, well below district and state averages, indicating a student population drawn largely from higher-income households. Special education enrollment data and English learner numbers were not available; a parent may want to look into those details with the school directly.
Independence is situated in a township experiencing rapid residential and commercial growth. New single-family subdivisions, retail and office development, and major healthcare campuses have driven steady population expansion, and the township continues adding mixed-use and entertainment destinations. This growth has both assets and complications. The township is car-dependent, organized around interstate and state highways, though the Liberty Center mixed-use district and expanding trail network are efforts to build walkability. Housing costs in the zip code are modest by national standards but rising; rents and mortgage obligations are manageable for dual-income households, though single-income families may find housing tight.
The larger district context carries weight. In November 2025, Lakota voters rejected a facilities bond and levy that would have funded the district's Master Facilities Plan, a comprehensive redesign involving consolidation of schools, construction of new elementary buildings, and boundary changes. That plan reflects the district's real constraints: class sizes in elementary grades are large (27 to 28 or more), school buildings average several decades old, and enrollment pressures leave little room. The defeat of the funding measure means these challenges remain unresolved. Parents considering Independence should understand that redistricting, school closures, and future tax asks are likely, and may reshape which school their child attends and when. The district has signaled it will revisit solutions but has not committed to a new timeline.
Independence itself is a traditional neighborhood elementary school with solid academic performance and a student population that skews toward higher family income. The school's strength rests on above-average test results across core subjects and high participation rates. For families drawn to Liberty Township's growth, new housing, and job opportunities, Independence offers a capable school. For families with older elementary-age children, it provides a complete elementary pathway through grade six. The district's unresolved facilities and overcrowding questions, however, are material context for anyone considering a multi-year commitment to the area or planning around neighborhood school assignment.
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